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Editor’s pick: Using biomass to make fuel is a criminal waste (1)

Published 28 August 2019

From
Fred White, Nottingham, UK

Michael Le Page’s article barely scratches the surface of the problems with biofuel policy (27 July, p 23). Solar energy conversion involving wheat is around 0.06 per cent efficient. That is 1/250th the efficiency of the solar cells that we now see covering agricultural land.

This idea takes no account of the energy cost of planting, cultivation, fertilisers, pest and disease control, harvesting, processing and distribution of biofuel. Cover roofs in solar cells and leave the good earth for food and nature reserves.